Charles B. Moss
1918 - 1990
Married: Ilene Hale.
Children: Hale Moss and Susan Owen.
4 Grandchildren
Louis A. Moss
1920 - 1952
Married: Virginia Powell
John M. Moss
1924 - June 2, 2014
Married: Martha Dale.
Children: Louis, Mack, John Dale & Kyle Moss
5 Grandchildren & 2 Great Grandchildren
In the early 1950’s, three Moss brother and their Dad (Charlie Mack) established Moss Brothers Seed Company. The Moss family moved to Mt. Juliet in Wilson County from Smith County in the early 1900’s where they continued the family traditions of farming and living off the land along with their mentor and uncle Noel Nokes. The Moss brothers, Charles, Louis and Johnny, came from a large family which included sister, Betty Moss Powers, Josephine Moss Reynolds and Alice Moss Trice. Their parents were Charlie Mack Moss and Florence Beasley Moss.
Charles, Louis and John had several successful ventures in farming including cattle, hogs and sheep. In 1958, Charles and John also started a "pig parlor" which was a new method of raising "porkers" from birth to market in the same building. The parlor was a 26 by 36 foot building with a concrete floor, automatic waterers, farrowing stall and heat lamps.
They also raised crops that included corn, KY 31 fescue and clovers. They expanded their farming into an agri-business that began on Division Street in Mt. Juliet. When their growing business needed to expand they purchased land on Highway 70 and moved their "state of the art" seed cleaning operation which featured all electric equipment such as corn shellers, graders, separators and gravity table to prepare seed for the market. Tragically, Louis Moss died in an accident while helping to construct the new building in September, 1952.
Moss Brothers Seed Company catered to farmers in the farming community. Their store carried seed, feed and fertilizer. The company became a member of the Tennessee Crop Improvement Association where Charles served as president for several years. The association marketed the products produced by Moss Brother such as certified hybrid seed corns "Tennessee 10" and "Dixie 17". Along with huge stacks of bagged fertilizers and seed inside the store, local farmers would gather each day to discuss the weather and local politics. Many fine crops were planned and political situations resolved around the old coal burning stove. Mr. Johnny fondly remembers those days while today the business continues to operate as a garden center and florist serving the changed West Wilson County community. Though the business has changed with the times, Mr. Johnny’s philosophy is still that the keys to success have been "integrity, the golden rule and repeat-generation customers."
